S04.E32: Playing Favorites

[OnceSane]

The moms from both the Elite & Select Teams face off against Abby to hash out their grudges from this season & accuse her of blatant favoritism. Maddie takes the stage to talk about her recent success in Hollywood with the Sia video, the girls present new dances, and of course, Cathy makes an appearance to ruffle Abby's feathers.

[prolix]

Random thoughts...

 

Tea's mom continues to delight me with her fashion choices. Forever 21 is not just a store, it is her fashion motto. She does have a great figure; it's too bad she can't dress age-appropriately.

 

Christi and Abby absolutely bring out the worst in each other. I do think next season will be more enjoyable without Chloe and Christi at ALDC because it is just so uncomfortable. I think Abby is terrible, but I think she will be way more tolerable without her dynamic with Christi, whom I also find terrible.

 

I don't really get the issue with Melissa. I understand why Melissa was so frustrated when Abby played the "will-she, won't-she" with the Maddie solo-- it put Melissa (and Maddie) in a bad position no matter what. I also understood the reasoning why Maddie did the last-minute solo to ensure Ava didn't win first place. It wasn't about Mac, it was about Ava. But then again, based on what I see, I don't find Melissa to be as devious as the other moms insist she is.

 

Lastly, I have to agree with Abby that both times Kamryn competed against Chloe, I thought Kamryn was clearly better and should have easily won. Of course, there have been many times this season I thought CADC's group dance should have beaten ALDC and that didn't happen either. I do really like Kamryn and Jade's dancing, so I wouldn't mind if they stuck around.

[KaveDweller]

I don't really get the issue with Melissa. I understand why Melissa was so frustrated when Abby played the "will-she, won't-she" with the Maddie solo-- it put Melissa (and Maddie) in a bad position no matter what.

 

Melissa is annoying, but the truth is none of those mothers would ever pull their kid's solo.  Maybe they think they wouldn't if they were like Maddie and had more solos. But I can't see any of them doing it.

 

My general opinion is that every (adult) woman on this show sucks.  I feel bad for the kids.

[Stella MD]

 

Lastly, I have to agree with Abby that both times Kamryn competed against Chloe, I thought Kamryn was clearly better and should have easily won.

Wasn't Kamryn (good grief with the spelling) the one who fell during her solo? It seems like something of a slam-dunk that Chloe would win just by virtue of staying vertical when the choreography demanded it. I have to agree with the moms that Abby's tolerance of said fall was completely out of character and smacked of favoritism. Newbies have been kicked off the team for far more minor transgressions.

[realdancemom]

Lastly, I have to agree with Abby that both times Kamryn competed against Chloe, I thought Kamryn was clearly better and should have easily won. Of course, there have been many times this season I thought CADC's group dance should have beaten ALDC and that didn't happen either. I do really like Kamryn and Jade's dancing, so I wouldn't mind if they stuck around.

The first time, Chloe and Kamryn competed, I liked both their solos and could easily see either one winning.  This last time, I thought Kamryn looked better but she did fall.  So she probably had points deducted for that.  I agree that there are lots of times when I think a CADC group dance is better than ALDC's dance.  The one thing that ALDC does better is their synchronization which makes sense since these girls have been dancing together for a long time.  However, I thought the Amber Alert dance was all over the place. 

 

If Jade is the Asian dancer, I think she's a beautiful dancer too.

[leighroda]

I have to confess that I had a midterm the next day, so while I had this on, I was not paying close attention... And have not rewatched because between what I did see and here I got enough of the jist of what happened. Christi posted on facebook, apparently this was cut from the show, but Francisco was in the audience and confirmed that Abby tried to change the results... I tried to include the link, but I'm on my phone and it's not working.

A rule of thumb at dance competitions is that the results from the judges are to some degree subjective so despite what anyone person thinks was or wasn't the best dance the judges are the one with the final opinion... Which is why I take issue with what Abby did. The judges that day chose Chloe. The judges at "nationals" (in quotations because I doubt the legitimacy) chose Chloe that day... It doesn't take anything away from Kamryn, but those people trusted to judge on that specific day felt chloe danced better. Who is Abby to march in and demand her preference. She says she "rarely" does this but we saw her do it another time JUST this season and then in another season between her and Maddie (although she says she saw a mistake on the score sheet... Who knows). All of that to say I have a hard time believing this is an isolated incident/behavior.

[cali1981]

  I agree that there are lots of times when I think a CADC group dance is better than ALDC's dance.  The one thing that ALDC does better is their synchronization which makes sense since these girls have been dancing together for a long time.  However, I thought the Amber Alert dance was all over the place. 

 

 

Cathy does bring in excellent guest choreographers who create some beautiful routines, in many cases, much better than some of the slop that Abby and Gianna put out there at times.  Mysteriously, however, (or maybe not so mysterious, eh?) CADC always manages to lose to ALDC.  What do you suppose those results would look like if these "competitions" were actually real?

[Monkshood]

I have to confess that I had a midterm the next day, so while I had this on, I was not paying close attention... And have not rewatched because between what I did see and here I got enough of the jist of what happened. Christi posted on facebook, apparently this was cut from the show, but Francisco was in the audience and confirmed that Abby tried to change the results... I tried to include the link, but I'm on my phone and it's not working.

A rule of thumb at dance competitions is that the results from the judges are to some degree subjective so despite what anyone person thinks was or wasn't the best dance the judges are the one with the final opinion... Which is why I take issue with what Abby did. The judges that day chose Chloe. The judges at "nationals" (in quotations because I doubt the legitimacy) chose Chloe that day... It doesn't take anything away from Kamryn, but those people trusted to judge on that specific day felt chloe danced better. Who is Abby to march in and demand her preference. She says she "rarely" does this but we saw her do it another time JUST this season and then in another season between her and Maddie (although she says she saw a mistake on the score sheet... Who knows). All of that to say I have a hard time believing this is an isolated incident/behavior.

Here's the link:

 

[Law Mom]

What would happen in a real competition? In real competitions it all depends on who shows up. Big name competition companies in large cities are far more competitive than small comps in the boonies. I remember in the old days, back when dance videos were hard to find, KAR started posting overall winners videos and the quality level varied greatly from city to city. In a tough comp, neither ALDC nor Candy Apples would place very high. I think her younger dancers are more advanced than most of their peers, but I see the younger kids today generally seem more advanced than my daughter was then. I never saw 9 year olds like Mackenzie, but our old studio now has several who would easily outscore her. As the girls get older, they stand out less because everyone else catches up. So Maddie was a phenom at age 7, and is well above average today at age 11, but by the time she is 16 I think she will be just a typical advanced level dancer. She will still be good, but every decent comp studio has a dozen or more high school girls at that level. The only difference is she got their earlier, so that drew attention.

Edited October 17, 2014 by Law Mom

[MGOODY]

Now Sophia Lucia is she ranked high in the dance world?  Not to get off topic.  

[Mischievious]

I don't watch this show with much focus. Perhaps I'm subconciously trying to ween myself off it. At the end they showed some music video with the girls, Abby and the mom. When it first started they highlighted each girl individually. Was the last "girl" Gianna? Also, I cringed at the "character" they created for Jill.

 

That is a shame they cut Fancisco confirming Abby tried to get the results changed. Also a shame they didn't have the other Christy there, as much as I can't stand her, to irritate Abby.

 

They truly need to end this show. I will say I kind of miss Kelly, Brooke and Paige. Perhaps if they were still there they wouldn't be bringing in all these other dancers.

[Darknight]

Now Sophia Lucia is she ranked high in the dance world? Not to get off topic.

No. Most don't know who she is, but thanks to social media and dance moms some dancers and choreographers do know who she is. There are dancers who imo can dance better than her or close to it. The only difference is their parents aren't pimping them out like Sophia mother is doing

Edited October 17, 2014 by Darknight

[sofiah]

No. Most don't know who she is, but thanks to social media and dance moms some dancers and choreographers do know who she is. There are dancers who imo can dance better than her or close to it. The only difference is their parents aren't pimping them out like Sophia mother is doing

 

I don't think this is really that accurate.  Sophia Lucia is not known to 'some choreographers' because she was on Dance Moms... and choreographers definitely knew who she was before she was on Dance Moms or instagram. She has worked with and assisted a very wide range of very respected and accomplished choreographers - before and after Dance Moms - she's not my favorite dancer by any means, and you can't say she's "the best"  because dance is subjective and an art - but she's definitely widely regarded as one of the best for her age.   

 

I'm not saying her mom is or isn't pimping her out… I know nothing about her or them… but she was definitely known in the 'dance world' before  Dance Moms came along. 

Edited October 17, 2014 by sofiah

[Darknight]

This isn't really that accurate. Sophia Lucia is not known to 'some choreographers' because she was on Dance Moms... and choreographers definitely knew who she was before she was on Dance Moms or instagram. She has worked with and assisted a very wide range of very respected and accomplished choreographers - before and after Dance Moms - she's not my favorite dancer by any means, and you can't say she's "the best" because dance is subjective and an art - but she's definitely widely regarded as one of the best for her age.

Most people in the dance world have no clue who she is. Including dance teachers and choreographers. Maybe the ones she worked with before. She might have been known to a relatively small percentage of people in her bubble but dance moms made her even more well known in the dance community.I do think she's very good for her age but I've seen dancers dance better than her or close to it. It's going to interesting to see what the future holds for her. A great 11yo dancer doesn't always turn out to be a great 16 or 18 yo dancer. Edited October 17, 2014 by Darknight

[KaveDweller]

That is a shame they cut Fancisco confirming Abby tried to get the results changed. Also a shame they didn't have the other Christy there, as much as I can't stand her, to irritate Abby.

 

I feel like in these reunion they try and make Abby look good.  Whenever one of the mothers insults Abby they cut to a shot of someone in the audience looking shocked or horrified at what they said.  They never do that after one of Abby's comments.

[Mkay]

Absolutely! You can tell how horribly this show is edited and pieced together.  

 

So glad Chloe is out of that crazy woman's studio. 

[ThreaLevelMidnight]

Now Sophia Lucia is she ranked high in the dance world?  Not to get off topic.  

 

Yes.  She has lots of national titles and is VERY highly regarded in the dance world.  It's rare for someone to beat her.

[sofiah]

Most people in the dance world have no clue who she is. Including dance teachers and choreographers. Maybe the ones she worked with before. She might have been known to a relatively small percentage of people in her bubble but dance moms made her even more well known in the dance community.I do think she's very good for her age but I've seen dancers dance better than her or close to it. It's going to interesting to see what the future holds for her. A great 11yo dancer doesn't always turn out to be a great 16 or 18 yo dancer.

 

We'll have to agree to disagree on Sophia.  Not only do some of the best choreographer out there know her (from Shannon Mather to Brian Friedman for example), but there's her endless titles, her world record hold, her being on Dancing with the Stars, being junior best dancer at 'The Dance Awards' this year, etc.  She's not competing at YAGP, but in terms of the competitive/entertainment dance circuit in the U.S… she is known, and it has very little to do with the show.   I am no expert on dance or even deeply entrenched in the dance community and I certainly knew who she was well before Dance Moms.  

 

I do think Dance Moms made her more known to the general public - but I don't think anyone legitimately in the dance community is really watching Dance Moms. 

 

And, yeah, who knows what she'll be doing when she's 18.  

Edited October 18, 2014 by sofiah

[Darknight]

We'll have to agree to disagree on Sophia. She's worked with and assisted everyone from Blake McGrath, to Brian Friedman, to Shannon Mather, to Willdabeast, to Mark Miesmer, and the list really goes on… and every time she does it she's onstage at huge dance conventions in front of hundreds of dancers. Plus there's her endless titles, her world record hold, her being on Dancing with the Stars, being junior best dancer at 'The Dance Awards' this year, etc. She's not competing at YAGP, but in terms of the competitive/entertainment dance circuit in the U.S… she is known, and it has very little to do with the show. I am no expert on dance or even deeply entrenched in the dance community and I certainly knew who she was well before Dance Moms.

I do think Dance Moms made her more known to the general public - but I don't think anyone legitimately in the dance community is really watching Dance Moms.

And, yeah, who knows what she'll be doing when she's 18.

But do people especially in the dance world really care? Nope. She has won a ton of awards and has a world record but then again who really cares about all that. You could win 200 dance awards and nobody is going to know who you are. I did know who Sophia was via YouTube however my kids dance studioor choreographers didn't know who she was before the show. She was just a regular comp with who won a few awards and had some advanced skills. Again a small percentage of people. She might be well more known than others just like Hayden Hopkins or Jaycee Wilkins, but social media and her role on dance mom played a huge role in getting people interested in her. She probably does have an agent that books her gigs, just like the dm girls only getting things because they're on tv. It's all about marketing.

[sofiah]

But do people especially in the dance world really care? Nope. She has won a ton of awards and has a world record but then again who really cares about all that. You could win 200 dance awards and nobody is going to know who you are. I did know who Sophia was via YouTube however my kids dance studioor choreographers didn't know who she was before the show. She was just a regular comp with who won a few awards and had some advanced skills. Again a small percentage of people. She might be well more known than others just like Hayden Hopkins or Jaycee Wilkins, but social media and her role on dance mom played a huge role in getting people interested in her. She probably does have an agent that books her gigs, just like the dm girls only getting things because they're on tv. It's all about marketing.

 

Well, I don't know if they 'care' per say -- I think choreographers want assistants up on stage who are going to execute their choreography as close to perfectly as possible.  I also think some choreographers care about the art of dancing and find it inspirational to work with students who are exceptional.  

 

I agree with you a lot of it is marketing, and of course she has an agent, I was just saying Sophia interested influential choreographers and teachers based on her talent well before Dance Moms.  This recognition among some influential figures in the dance community may not have trickled down to the likes of the choreographers at your child's studio, but anyone who was actively paying attention to the competition or dance convention circuit certainly would have know who she was before 'Dance Moms'.  

 

Anyway, that's all I'll say about Sophia Lucia - I am starting to feel like a rabid fan, and I don't even particularly enjoy watching her dance! 

Edited October 18, 2014 by sofiah

[MGOODY]

It's so wierd how you see the moms fight on the reunion show then they cut to the kids dancing like they don't have a care in the world.  The reunion shows seem very Jerry Springerish.  

[takalotti]

So not only did I dance at Abby's way back when, but I also went to school where Freaks Like Me was filmed (and Holly worked there before she went to our "rival" school where she was the head of the middle school). Totally trippy, man!

It is too bad they cut out the Francisco bit, but even that was easy on Abby. They let it sound like she was just saying, "I thought Kamryn danced better than Chloe. How did you see it different?" instead of, "Because of factors that have nothing to do with what you saw on stage, I don't think Chloe deserved to win, so this is me pressuring you to change the results," like he described on AfterBuzz.

Edited March 31, 2015 by takalotti

[NextIteration]

Well, I don't know if they 'care' per say -- I think choreographers want assistants up on stage who are going to execute their choreography as close to perfectly as possible.  I also think some choreographers care about the art of dancing and find it inspirational to work with students who are exceptional.  

 

I agree with you a lot of it is marketing, and of course she has an agent, I was just saying Sophia interested influential choreographers and teachers based on her talent well before Dance Moms.  This recognition among some influential figures in the dance community may not have trickled down to the likes of the choreographers at your child's studio, but anyone who was actively paying attention to the competition or dance convention circuit certainly would have know who she was before 'Dance Moms'.

 

Anyway, that's all I'll say about Sophia Lucia - I am starting to feel like a rabid fan, and I don't even particularly enjoy watching her dance! 

 

See that's the thing.  There are literally hundreds of kids like Sophia on the circuit that nobody at the "local dolly dinkle" have heard of until they are on the teevee machine.  All you have to do is look at YouTube and a couple of the popular dance channels that cover competitive dance and you'll quickly see who they are and know their names.  People may or may not appreciate choreographers on the convention/competition circuit, but people that appreciate well trained all-around dancers (especially the parents shoveling out the cash!) do.

 

The dance world as is always said is really small, but it's weird how the dolly dinkles will try to keep their clients by isolating them from the truth.